4-Oxa prostaglandin F{62 -type compounds

ABSTRACT

This invention is a group of 3- and 4-oxa PG-type compounds, and processes for making them. These compounds are useful for a variety of pharmacological purposes, including anti-ulcer, inhibition of platelet aggregation, increase of nasal patency, labor inducement at term, and wound healing.

Unite States Patent Nelson 1 1 Dec. 2, 1975 [5 4-OXA PROSTAGLANDIN FB-TYPE 260/488 R; 260/50l.1; 260/50l.l5; COMPOUNDS 260/50l.l7; 260/501.2; 260/514 D [51] Int. Cl. C07C 11/78; C07C 64/94 [751 lnvemor' Galesburg' [58} Field Of Search 260/468 D, 514 D, 69

[73] Assignee: The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1974 2,036,471 12/1971 Germany .1 260/408 [21] Appl. No.: 461,597

Primary Examiner-Robert Gerstl Related Appllcation Data Attorney, Agent, or FirmMorris L. Nielsen [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 332,067, Feb. 13, 1973.

abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. [57] ABSTRACT 41169 June 1970 abandoned This invention is a group of 3- and 4-oxa PG-type [30] Foreign Application Priority Data compounds, and processes for makIng them. These I compounds are useful for a varlety of pharmacologIcal July 29, 1969 Umted Kingdom 38073/69 purposs, including antpulcery inhibition of platelet aggregation, increase of nasal patency, labor induce- [52] US. Cl...... 260/468 D; 260/21] R; 260/208 R;

260/247.2 R; 260/293.68; 260/326.2; 260/410; 260/429.9; 260/439 R; 260/448 R;

ment at term, and wound healing:

70 Claims, No Drawings 4-OXA PROSTAGLANDIN FB-TYPE COMPOUNDS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 5 This application is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 332.067, filed Feb. 13, 1973, now abandoned, which was a continuation-in-part of my then copending application Ser. No. 47,169, filed June 17, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to compositions of matter, and to methods and intermediates for producing them. In particular, the several aspects of this invention relate to novel analogs of some of the known prostaglandins, for example, prostaglandin E (PGE prostaglandin E (PGE prostaglandin F (PGF a and PFG prostaglandin F (PGF and PGF prostaglandin A (PGA prostaglandin A (PGA prostaglandin B (PGB prostaglandin B (PO8 the corresponding PG s, and the dihydro PG derivatives, to novel methods for producing those novel prostaglandin analogs, and to novel chemical intermediates useful in those novel methods.

Each of the above-mentioned known prostaglandins is a derivative of prostanoic acid which has the following structure and atom numbering:

3o COOH MW/1 A systematic name for prostanoic acid is 7-[(2B-octyl)- cyclopentl a-yl]heptanoic acid.

PGE has the following structure:

Q cOQH Ill PGA has the following structure:

PGB has the following structure:

COOH Vll Each of the known PG prostaglandins has a structure the same as that of the PG compounds except that in each, C-17 and C-18 are linked with a cis carboncarbon double bond. For example, PGE has the following structure: v

Vlll

/- CO0H H .on

The prostaglandin formulas mentioned above each have several centers of asymmetry. As drawn, formulas II to IX each represents the particular optically active formfof the prostaglandin obtained from certain mammalian tissues, for example, sheep vesicular glands, swine lung, and human seminal plasma, or by reduction or dehydration of a prostaglandin so obtained. See, for example, Bergstrom et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 20, l 1968), and references cited therein. The mirror image of each formula represents a molecule of the enantiomer of that prostaglandin. The racemic form of the prostaglandin consists of equal numbers of two types of molecules, one represented by one of the above formulas and the other represented by the mirror image of that formula. Thus, both formulas are needed to define a racemic prostaglandin. See Nature 212, 38 (1966) for discussion of the stereochemistry of the prostaglandins.

In formulas l-lX, as well as in the formulas given hereinafter, broken line attachments to the cyclopentane ring indicate substituents in alpha configuration, i.e., below the plane of the cyclopentane ring. Heavy solid line attachments to the cyclopentane ring indicate substituents in beta configuration, i.e., above the plane of the cyclopentane ring.

Prostaglandins with carboxyl-terminated side chains attached to the cyclopentane ring in betaconfiguration are also known. These are derivatives of 8-iso-prostanoic acid which has the following formula:

A systematic name for 8-iso-prostanoic acid is 7-[(2B- octyl)-cyclopent-1 ,8-yl]heptanoic acid.

The side-chain hydroxy at C15 in formulas 11 to IX is in alpha (S) configuration. See Nature 212, 38 (1.966) for discussion of the stereochemistry of the prostaglandins.

PGE PGE dihydro-PGE and the corresponding PGF (1 PGF B PGA, and PGB compounds, and their esters, acylates, and pharmacologically acceptable salts, are extremely potent in causing various biological responses. For that reason, these compounds are useful for pharmacological purposes. See, for example, Bergstrom et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 20, l (1968), and references cited therein. A few of those biological responses are systemic blood pressure lowering in the case of the PGE and PGA compounds as measured, for example, in anesthetized (pentobarbital sodium) pentoliniumtreated rats with indwelling aortic and right heart cannulas; stimulation of smooth muscle as shown, for example, by tests on strips of guinea pig ileum, rabbit duodenum, or gerbil colon; potentiation of other smooth muscle stimulants; antilipolytic activity as shown by antagonism of epinephrine-induced mobilization of free fatty acids or inhibition of the spontaneous release of glycerol from isolated rat fat pads; inhibition of gastric secretion in the case of the PGE and PGA compounds as shown in dogs with secretion stimulated by food or histamine infusion; activity 'on the central nervous system; controlling spasm and facilitating breathing in asthmatic conditions; decreasing blood platelet adhesiveness as shown by platelet-to-glass adhesiveness, and inhibition of blood platelet aggregation and thrombus formation induced by various physical stimuli, e.g., arterial injury, and various biochemical stimuli, e.g., ADP, ATP, serotonin, thrombin, and collagen; and in the case of the PGE and PGB compounds, stimulation these known 9 i For example, these compounds, and especially the PGE compounds, are useful in mammals, including man, as nasal decongestants. For this purpose, the compounds are used in a dose range of about 10 ug. to about 10 mg. per ml. of a pharmacologically suitable liquid vehicle or as an aerosol spray, both for topical application.

The PGE, PGF PGF 3 and PGA compounds are useful in the treatment of asthma. For example, these compounds are useful as bronchodilators or as inhibitors of mediators, such as SRS-A, and histamine which are released from cells activated by an antigen-antibody complex. Thus, these compounds control spasm and facilitate breathing in conditions such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pneumonia and emphysema. For these purposes, these compounds are administered in a variety of dosage forms, e.g., orally in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquids; rectally in the form of suppositories; parenterally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly, with intravenous administration being preferred in emergency situations; by inhalation in the form of aerosols or solutions for nebulizers; or by insufflation in the form of powder. Doses in the range of about 0.01 to 5 mg. per kg. of body weight are used 1 to 4 times a day, the exact dose depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient and on the frequency and route of administration. For the above use these prostaglandins can be combined advantageously with other anti-asthmatic agents, such as sympathomimetics (isoproterenol, phenylephrine, ephedrine, etc.); xanthine derivatives (theophylline and aminophylline); and cortico-steroids (ACTH and predinisolone). Regarding use of these compounds see South African Pat. No. 681,055.

The PGE and PGA compounds are useful in mammals, including man and certain useful animals, e.g., dogs and pigs, to reduce and control excessive gastric secretion, thereby reducing or avoiding gastrointestinal ulcer formation, and accelerating the healing of such ulcers already present in the gastrointestinal tract. For this purpose, the compounds are injected or infused intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly in an infusion dose range about 0.1 .tg. to about 500 pg. per kg. of body weight per minute, or in a total daily dose by injection or infusion in the range about 0.1 to about 20 mg. per kg. of body weight per day, the exact dose depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient or animal, and on the frequency and route of administration.

The PGE, PGF and PGF compounds are useful whenever it is desired to inhibit platelet aggregation, to reduce the adhesive character of platelets, and to remove or prevent the formation of thrombi in mammals, including man, rabbits, and rats. For example, these compounds are useful in the treatment and prevention of myocardial infarcts, to treat and prevent post-operative thrombosis, to promote patency of vascular grafts following surgery, and to treat conditions such as ather .osclerosis, arteriosclerosis, blood clotting defects due to lipemia, and other clinical conditions in which the underlying etiology is associated with lipid imbalance or hyperlipidemia. For these purposes, these compounds are administered systemically, e.g., intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and in the form of sterile implants for prolonged action. For rapid response, especially in emergency situations, the intravenous route of administration is preferred. Doses in the range about 0.005 to about 20 mg. per kg. of body weight per day are used, the exact dose depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient or animal, and on the frequency and route of administration.

The PGE, PGF and PGF compounds are especially useful as additives to blood, blood products, blood substitutes, and other fluids which are used in artificial extracorporeal circulation and perfusion of isolated body portions, e.g., limbs and organs, whether attached to the original body, detached and being preserved or prepared for transplant, or attached to a new body. During these circulations and perfusions, aggregated platelets tend to block the blood vessels and portions of the circulation apparatus. This blocking is avoided by the presence of these compounds. For this purpose, the compound is added gradually or in single or multiple portions to the circulating blood, to the blood of the donor animal, to the perfused body portion, attached or detached, to the recipient, or to two or all of those at a total steady state dose of about 0.001 to mg. per liter of circulating fluid. It is especially useful to use these compounds in laboratory animals, e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits, monkeys, and rats, for these purposes in order to develop new methods and techniques for organ and limb transplants.

PGE compounds are extremely potent in causing stimulation of smooth muscle, and are also highly active in potentiating other known smooth muscle stimulators, for example, oxytocic agents, e.g., oxytocin, and the various ergot alkaloids including derivatives and analogs thereof. Therefore, PGE for example, is useful in place of or in combination with less than usual amounts of these known smooth muscle stimulators, for example, to relieve the symptoms of paralytic ileus, or to control or prevent atonic uterine bleeding after abortion or delivery, to aid in expulsion of the placenta, and during the puerperium. For the latter purpose, the PGE compound is administered by intravenous infusion immediately after abortion or delivery at a dose in the range about 0.01 to about 50 pg. per kg. of body weight per minute until the desired effect is obtained. Subsequent doses are given by intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection or infusion during puerperium in the range 0.01 to 2 mg. per kg. of body weight per day, the exact dose depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient or animal.

The PGE and PGA compounds are useful as hypotensive agents to reduce blood pressure in mammals, including man. For this purpose, the compounds are administered by intravenous infusion at the rate about 0.01 to about 50 pg. per kg. of body weight per minute or in single or multiple doses of about 25 to 500 pg. per kg. of body weight total per day.

The PGE, PGF a and PGF B compounds are useful in place of oxytocin to induce labor in pregnant female animals, includingman, cows, sheep, and pigs, at or near term, or in pregnant animals with intrauterine death of the fetus from about weeks to term. For this purpose, the compound is infused intravenously at a dose of 0.01 to 50 pg. per kg. of body weight per minute until or near the termination of the second stage of labor, i.e., expulsion of the fetus. These compounds are especially useful when the female is one or more weeks post-mature and natural labor has not started, or 12 to 60 hours after the membranes have ruptured and natural labor has not yet started. An alternative route of administration is oral. v r

The PGE, PGF a and PGF ful for controlling the reproductive cycle in ovulating compounds are use-.

female mammals, including humans and animals such as monkeys, rats, rabbits, dogs, cattle, and the like. By the term ovulating female mammals is meant animals which are mature enough to ovulate but not so old that regular ovulation has ceased. For that purpose PGF a for example, is administered systemically at a dose level in the range 0.01 mg. to about 20 mg. per kg. of body weight of the female mammal, advantageously during a span of time starting approximately at the time of ovulation and ending approximately at the time of menses or just prior to menses. Intravaginal and intrauterine are alternative routes of administration. Additionally, expulsion of an embryoor a fetus is accomplished by similar administration of the compound dur ing the first third of the normal mammalian gestation period.

The PGE and PGF compounds are useful in causing cervical dilation in pregnant and nonpregnant female mammals for purposes of gynecology and obstetrics. In labor induction and in clinical abortion produced by these compounds, cervical dilation is also observed. In cases of infertility, cervical dilation produced by PGE and PGF compounds is useful in assisting sperm movement to the uterus. Cervical dilation by prostaglandins is also useful in operative gynecology such as D and C (Cervical Dilation and Uterine Curettage) where mechanical dilation may cause perforation of the uterus, cervical tears, or infections. It is also useful in. diagnostic procedur'es where dilation is necessary for tissue examination. For these purposes, the PCB and PGF compounds are administered locally or systemically. PGE,, for example, is administered orally or vaginally at doses of about 5 to 50 mg. per treatment of an adult female human, with from one to five treatments per 24 hour period. PGE is also administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously at doses of about one to 25 mg. per treatment. The exact dosages for these purposes depend on the age, weight, and condition of the patient or animal.

As mentioned above, the PGE compounds are potent antagonists of epinephrine-induced mobilization of free fatty acids. For this reason, this compound is useful in experimental medicine for both in vitro and in vivo studies in mammals, including man, rabbits, and rats, intended to lead to the understanding, prevention, symptom alleviation, and cure of diseases involving abnormal lipid mobilization and high free fatty acid levels, e. g., diabetes mellitus, vascular diseases, and hyperthyroidism.

The PGA compounds and derivatives and salts thereof increase the flow of blood in the mammalian kidney, thereby increasing volume and electrolyte content of the urine. For that reason, PGA compounds are useful in managing cases of renal disfunction, especially those involving blockage of the renal vascular bed. lllustratively, the PGA compounds are useful to alleviate and correct cases of edema resulting, for example, from massive surface burns, and in the management of shock. For these purposes, the PGA compounds are preferably first administered by intravenous injection at a dose in the range of 10 to 1000 pg. per kg. of body weight or by intravenous infusion at a dose in the range 0.1 to 20 pg. per kg. of body weight per minute until the desired effect is obtained. Subsequent doses are given by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection or infusion in the range 0.05 to 2 mg. per kg. of body weight per day.

The PGE and PGE compounds promote and accelerrte the growth of epidermal cells and keratin in aninals, including humans, useful domestic animals, pets, zoological specimens, and laboratory animals. For that 'eason, these compounds are useful to promote and ac- :elerate healing of skin which has been damaged, for :xample, by burns, wounds, and abrasions, and after ;urgery. These compounds are also useful to promote and accelerate adherence and growth of skin autografts, especially small, deep (Davis) grafts which are lntended to cover skinless areas by subsequent outward growth rather than initially, and to retard rejection of homografts.

For these purposes, these compounds are preferably administered topically at or near the cite where cell growth and keratin formation is desired, advantageously as an aerosol liquid or micronized powder spray, as an isotonic aqueous solution in the case of wet dressings, or as a lotion, cream, or ointment in combination with the usual pharmaceutically acceptable diluents. In some instances, for example, when there is substantial fluid loss as in the case of extensive burns or skin loss due to other causes, systemic administration is advantageous, for example, by intravenous injection or infusion, separate or in combination with the usual infusions of blood, plasma, or substitutes thereof. Alternative routes of administration are subcutaneous or intramuscular near the site, oral, sublingual, buccal, rectal, or vaginal. The exact dose depends on such factors as the route of administration, and the age, weight, and condition of the subject. To illustrate, a wet dressing for topical application to second and/or third degree burns of skin area to 25 square centimeters would advantageously involve use of an isotonic aqueous solution containing 1 to 500 pg/ml. of the PGB compound or several times that concentration of the PGE compound. Especially for topical use, these prostaglandins are useful in combination with antibiotics, for example, gentamycin, neomycin, polymyxic B, bacitracin, spectinomycin, and oxytetracycline, with other antibacterials, for example, mafenide hydrochloride, sulfadiazine, furazolium chloride, and nitrofurazone, and with corticoid steroids, for example, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and fluprednisolone, each of those being used in the combination at the usual concentration suitable for its use alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a purpose of this invention to provide novel 3-oxa and 4-oxa prostaglandin analogs, and processes for making them.

The novel prostaglandin analogs of this invention each have an oxygen (O) in place of the methylene (CH moiety at the 3-position or at the 4-position of the prostanoic acid formula (I). For example, 3-oxa- PGE one of the novel compounds of this invention, is represented by the formula:

I 0 COOH d OH The novel compound, 4-oxa-PGE is represented by the formula:

Some of the novel prostaglandin analogs of this invention have a smaller or greater number of carbon atoms than the formulas shown above, in either the carboxy-terminated side chain or the alkyl-terminated side chain.

For example, five of the novel prostaglandin analogs of this invention are represented by the formulas:

Based on its relationship to PGE and prostanoic acid,

the compound of formula XIII is named 3-oxa-4-nor- These names for the compounds of formulas XIII to XVII are typical of the names used hereinafter for the novel compounds of this invention. These names can better be understood by reference to the structure and numbering system of prostanoic acid (Formula I, above). That formula has seven carbon atoms in the carboxy-terminated chain and eight carbon atoms in the hydroxy-containing chain. In these names, 3-oxa and 4-oxa indicate an oxa oxygen (O-) in place of the 3-methylene and 4-methylene, respectively of the PG compound.

The use of nor or dinor" in the names for the novel compounds of this invention indicates the absence of one or two of the chain carbon atoms and the attached hydrogen atoms. The number or numbers in front of nor, or dinorindicate which of the original prostanoic acid carbon atoms are missing in the named compound.

The use of homo or dihomo as in the names of the formula-XIV and -XVII examples indicate one or two additional carbon atoms in the carboxy-terminated side chain. In the name of the formula-XIV example 4a,4b-dihomo indicates two additional carbon atoms specifically between the oxygen atom at 4 and the C-5 carbon atom. There are, therefore, eight carbon atoms and one oxygen atom in that side chain instead of the six carbon atoms and one oxygen atom of the normal 3-oxa structure of this invention.

In the name of the formula-XVI example, 20- methyl indicates that a methyl group replaces a hydrogen on C-20. The methyl-terminated chain of that example therefore has nine carbon atoms.

Where the re is branching or fluoro substitution in the side chains, the points of attachment to the side chains are indicated in the conventional manner, following the atomic numbering of the prostanoic acid skeleton (I).

Novel compounds of this invention with epi configuration for the hydroxy at C-l5 are so designated-by using 15-beta in the name. An example is the name given above for the compound of formula XIV. If 15- beta does not appear in the name, the natural configuration for the C-l5 hydroxy, identified as the 5 configuration for POE is to be assumed.

The following formulas represent the novel 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of this invention in the same optically active form as the naturally occurring prostaglandins.

f5 0 CH -C H -O-( Z -COOR 1 XXI XXII

XXIII XXIV & I I Hq H XXX l V 552 -O-C-C-COOR V VA X VA 15 R 0 o c 8 C R 6 JU R o 2 m R 2 H c" m C 2 H 2 c H 2 c H z c XXIX I I s a XXXVI I H -CH=CH-C H -o- -(;QQR

[H I 1 L c=c R 5 H/ \c R2 6 m cH -cH=cH-c H -o-p-p-cooR U /H e c=c H C-R R o 5 ULH -:-C-C H -0-fZ-C00R L l l R H C-R R R o 5 2 7 H -C C-C H -o-c c :-cooR I c=c S a Li I H c-R 5 0 H c H o i: coon H cH -c-R e M Q I LVI l RGRB Formulas XVIII to XXVII represent 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of the PGE type. Formulas XXVIII to XXXVII represent 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of the PGF type. Formulas XXXVIII to XLVII represent 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of the PGA type. Formulas XLVIII to LVII represent 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of the PGB type.

In formulas XVIII to LVII, R is hydrogen, alkyl of one to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, aralkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, phenyl, phenyl substituted with one to 3 chloro or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or ethyl substituted in the B-position with 3 chloro, 2 or 3 bromo, or 1, 2, or 3 iodo. R is alkyl of one to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, substituted with zero to 3 fluoro.

wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive. R is alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, substituted with zero, one, 2, or 3 fluoro. R R R and R are hydrogen or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive. The divalent moiety C,,H represents alkylene of one to carbon atoms, inclusive, with one to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, between CH and O--. The divalent moiety -C,,,H represents alkylene of one to 9 carbon atoms, inclusive, with one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, between CH and -O-. The divalent moiety -C,,H represents alkylene of one to 8 carbon atoms, inclusive, with one, 2, or 3 carbon atoms between CH=CH or --C C and O. The divalent moiety C,,H' represents alkylene of one to 7 carbon atoms, inclusive, with one or 2 carbon atoms between CH= CH or "C C and O -s The divalent moiety -C,-I-I represents alkylene of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive. The wavy line indicates attachment of the hydroxyl group to the ring in alpha or beta configuration.

Formulas XVIII through LVII include the separate isomers wherein Q is either i.e. where the hydroxyl is in either alpha (natural) or beta configuration. Referring to the prostanoic acid atom numbering (formula I above), the point of attachment corresponds to G15, and, herein, regardless of the variation in the C-1 to C-7 carboxy chain, these epimers are referred to as C-l5 epimers.

Formulas XXVIII through XXXVII wherein the C-9 hydroxyl (following prostanoic acid atom numbering) is attached to the cyclopentane with a wavy line include both PGF a and PGF -type compounds.

Included in formulas XX, XI, XXX, XXXI, XL, XL], L, and LI are both the cis and the trans compounds with respect to the C-5 to C-6 double bond in the carboxyI-terminated side chain. In all of the compounds containing the C -to-C, double bond, that double bond is in trans configuration, and the chain containing that moiety is attached to the cyclopentane ring in beta configuration in compounds encompassed by formulas XVIII to XLVII. i

The novel 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of this invention include racemic compounds and both opticallyactive enantiomeric forms thereof. As discussed hereinabove, two structural formulas are required to define accurately these racemic compounds. The fonnulas as drawn herein are intended'to represent compounds with the same configuration as the naturally-occurring prostaglandins. However, for convenience in the charts herein only a single structural formula is used, for example in Chart E, to define not only the optically active form but also the racemic compounds which generally undergo the same reactions.

Formula XVIII represents 3-oxa-PGE (formula XI hereinabove) when C,,H is -(CH o is HAOH.

R R and R are hydrogen, andR is n-pentyl.

With regard to formulas XVIII to LVII, examples of alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isomericforms thereof. Examples of alkyl of one to 8 carbon atoms, inclusive, are those given above, and pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, and isomeric forms thereof. Examples of alkyl of one to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, are those given above, and nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, and isomeric forms thereof, Examples of cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive. which includes alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, are cyclopropyl, Z-methylcyclopropyl, 2,2- dimethylcyclopropyl. 2,3-diethylcyclopropyl, 2-butylcyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, 2-methylcyclobutyl, 3-propylcyclobutyl, 2,3,4-triethylcyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, 2,2- dimethylcyclopentyl, 3-pentylcyclopentyl, 3-tert-butylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl, 3-isopropylcyclohexyl, 2,2-dimethylcyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, and cyclodecyl. Examples of aralkyl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive, are benzyl, phenethyl, l-phenylethyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 4- phenylbutyl, 3-phenylbutyl, 2-(l-naphthylethyl), and l-(2-napthylmethyl). Examples of phenyl substituted by one to 3 chloro or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, are p-chlorophenyl, mchlorophenyl, ochlorophenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl, p-tolyl, m-tolyl, o-tolyl, p-ethylphenyl, p-tert-butylphenyl, 2,5-dimethylphenyl, 4-chloro-2-methylphenyl, and2,4-dichloro 3frnethylphenyl.

Examples of alkyl of one to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, substituted with one to 3 fluoro, are fluoromethyl, 2'-fluoroethyl, 2-fluorobutyl, 3-fluorobutyl, 4-fluorobutyl, S-fluoropentyl, 4-fluoro-4-methylpentyl, 3- fluoroisoheptyl, 8-fluorooctyl, 3,4-difluorobutyl, 4,4- difluoropentyl, 5,5-difluoropentyl, 5,5,5-trifluoropentyl, and 10,10,10-trifluorodecyl.

Examplesof alkylene within the various scopes of C l'l C,,,I-I C,,H C H and C H as those are defined above, are methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, and those alkylene with one or more alkyl substituents on one or more carbon atoms thereof, e.g., CH(CH C(CH -CI-I(CH CI-I CI-I CI-I(CH ''CH(CH- )--CI-I(CH CH2C(CH3)2, -CH- CI-I(CI-I )CI-I CI-I CI-I CH(CH CI-I CH- -CH(CH CH(CI-I )CH -CH --CH- and 2 H2 2 H( :3)-- H V The: novel formula XVIII-XXVII PGE-type 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds, the novel formulas XXVIII- -XXXVII PGE,", -type and PGF type 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds, the novel formula XXXVIIIXLVII PGA-type 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds, and the novel formula XLVIII-LVII PGB-type 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds, and their racemic forms, each cause the biological responses described above for the PGE, PGF PGF 5 PGA, and P68 compounds, respectively, and each of these novel compounds is accordingly useful for the above-described corresponding purposes, and is used'for those purposes in the same manner as described above.

The known PGE, PGF PGF 3 PGA, and PGB compounds uniformly cause miltiple biological responses even at low doses. For example, PGE and PGE both cause vasodepression and smooth muscle stimulation at the same time they exert anti-lipobytic activity. Moreover, for many applications, these known prostaglandins have an inconveniently short duration of biological activity. In striking contrast, the novel formula XVIlI-to-LVII analogs and their racemic forms are substantially more specific with regard to potency in causing prostaglandin-like biological responses, and have a substantially longer duration of biological activity. Therefore, each of these novel prostaglandin analogs isuseful in place of one of the corresponding above-mentioned known prostaglandins for at least one of the pharmacological purposes indicated above for the latter, and is surprisingly and unexpectedly more useful for that purpose because it has a different and narrower spectrum of biological activity than the known prostaglandin, and therefore is more specific in its activity and causes smaller and fewer undesired side effects than the known prostaglandin. Moreover, be-

cause of its prolonged activity, fewer and smaller doses of the novel prostaglandin analog can frequently be used to attain the desired result.

To obtain the optimum combination of biological potency specificity and duration of activity, certain compounds within the scope of formulas XVIII to LVII are preferred. For example, it is preferred that the carboxyterminated chain in each formula contain a chain of six atoms between the carboxyl and the cyclopentane ring. One of those six atoms will be the oxa atom and the other five will be carbon atoms. Accordingly and with reference to formulas XVIII to LVII, it is preferred that C,,H represent a 3-carbon divalent chain, that -C,,,H represent a 2-carbon divalent chain, and that C,,H represent a divalent carbon atom. These preferences do not exclude additional carbon atoms (alkyl groups) as branching.

A seven-atom carboxy terminated chain is not included in the compounds of formulas XXI, XXIII, XXVII, XXXI, XXXIII, XXXVII, XLI, XLIII, XLVII, LI, LIII, and LVII, i.e., formulas wherein the carboxyterminated side chain is 4-oxa and contains a carboncarbon double or triple bond. In each of those compounds, the q of ---C H is at least one, and at least seven atoms, one oxygen (oxa) and six carbons, are present between the carboxyl and the cyclopentane ring. In these compounds, the preference is for that minimum chain, i.e., q is one.

Another preference for the compounds of formulas XVIII to LVII is that R R R R and R be hydrogen or methyl. All of those R groups can be hydrogen, all can be methyl, or there can be any of the possible combinations of hydrogen and methyl. It is especially preferred for prolonged duration of biological activity that both R and R be methyl, and/or that R be methyl.

Certain variations in the nature of R in formulas XVIII-XXV, XXVIII-XXXV, XXXVIIIXLV, and XLVIII-LV are especially important. In the known prostaglandins, e.g., PGE the portion of the molecule corresponding to R in the above-mentioned formulas is pentyl. It is preferred that R be pentyl in formulas XVIII-XXV, XXVIII-XXXV, XXXVII-XLV, and XLVIII-LV. It is also preferred that R be straight chain alkyl of 3 to 7 carbon atoms, inclusive, with or without a fluoro substituent at the 1-position e.g., CI-IF-(CI-I CI-I wherein g is one to 5. Alternately, R is represented by wherein R is hydrogen or fluoro and g is one, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Pentyl and l-fluoropentyl are, of course, included in this preference. g

In compounds of formulas XXVI, XXVII, XXXVI, XXXVII, XLVI, XLVII, LVI, and LVII, it is preferred that C H be methylene and that R be ethyl.

Another advantage of the novel compounds of this invention, especially the preferred compounds defined hereinabove, compared with the known prostaglandins,

is that these novel compounds are administered effectively orally, sublingually, intravaginally, buccally, or rectally, in addition to usual intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection or infusion methods indicated above for the uses of the known prostaglandins. These qualities are advantageous because they facilitate maintaining uniform levels of these compounds in the body with fewer, shorter, or smaller doses, and make possible self-administration by the patient.

The PGE, PGF POP PGA, and PGE type 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds encompassed by formulas XVIII to LVII including .the special classes of compounds described above, are used for the purposes described above in the free acid form, in ester form, or in pharmacologically acceptable salt form. When the ester form is used the ester is any of those within the above definition of R However, it is preferred that the ester be alkyl of one to 12 carbon atoms, inclusive. Of those alkyl, methyl and ethyl are especially preferred for optimum absorption of the compound by the body or experimental animal system; and straight-chain octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, and dodecyl are especially preferred for prolonged activity in the body or experimental animal.

Pharmacologically acceptable salts of these formula XVIII-to-LVII compounds useful for the purposes described above are those with pharmacologically acceptable metal cations, ammonium, amine cations, or quaternary ammonium cations.

Especially preferred metal cations are those derived from the alkali metals, e.g., lithium, sodium and potassium, and from the alkaline earth metals, e.g., magnesium and calcium, although cationic forms of other metals, e.g., aluminum, zinc, and iron, are within the scope of this invention.

Pharmacologically acceptable amine cations are those derived from primary, secondary, or tertiary amines. Examples of suitable amines are methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, dibutylamine, triisopropylamine, N-methylhexylamine, decylamine, dodecylamine, allylamine, crotylamine, cyclopentylamine, dicyclohexylamine, benzylamine, dibenzylamine, a-phenylethylamine, B-phenyleth'ylamine, ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and like aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and araliphatic amines containing up to and including about 18 carbon atoms, as well as heterocyclic amines, e.g., piperidine, morpholine, pyrrolidine, piperazine, and lower-alkyl derivatives thereof, e.g., l-methylpiperidine, 4-ethylmorpholine, l-isopropylpyrrolidine, 2-methylpyrrolidine, 1,4- dimethylpiperazine, Z-methylpiperidine, and the like, as well as amines containing water-solubilizing or bydrophilic groups, e.g., mono-, di-, and triethanolamine, ethyldiethanolamine, N-butylethanolamine, Z-aminol-butanol. 2-amino-2-ethyl-l,3-propanediol, Z-amino- 2-methyll-propanol, tris-(hydroxymethyl )aminomethane, N-phenylethanolamine, N-(p-tert-amylphenyl)- diethanolamine, galactamine, N-methylglucamine, N- methylglucosamine, ephedrine. phenylephrine, epinephrine, procaine, and the like.

Examples of suitable pharmacologically acceptable quaternary ammonium cations are tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, benzyltrimethylammonium, phenyltriethylammonium, and the like.

The 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE, PGF PGF PGA, and PGE type compounds encompassed by formulas XVIII to LVII including the special classes of compounds described above, are also used for the purposes 21 described above in free hydroxy form or in the form wherein the hydroxy moieties are transformed to lower alkanoate moieties, e.g., -OI-l to OCOCl-I Examples of lower alkanoate moieties are acetoxy, propionyloxy, butyryloxy, valeryloxy, hexanoyloxy, heptanoyloxy, octanoyloxy, and branched chain alkanoyloxy isomers of those moieties. Especially preferred among these alkanoates for the above described purposes are the acetoxy compounds. These free hydroxy and alkanoyloxy compounds are used as free acids, as esters, and in salt form all as described above.

As discussed above, the compounds of formulas XVIII to LVII are administered in various ways for various purposes; e.g., intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, orally, intravaginally, rectally, buccally, sublingually, topically, and in the form of sterile implants for prolonged action. For intravenousinjection or infusion, sterile aqueous isotonic solutions are preferred. For that purpose, it is preferred because of increased water solubility that R, in the formula XVIII- to-LVII compound be hydrogen or a pharmacologically acceptable cation. For subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, sterile solutions or suspensions of the acid, salt, or ester form in aqueous or non-aqueous media are used. Tablets, capsules, and liquid preparations such as syrups, elixirs, and simple solutions, with the usual pharmaceutical carriers are used for oral sublingual administration. For rectal or vaginal administration, suppositories prepared as known in the art are used. For tissue implants, a sterile tablet or silicone rubber capsule or other object containing or impregnated with the substance is used.

The 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE, PGF PGF B PGA, and PGB type compounds encompassed by formulas XVIII to LVII are produced by the reactions and procedures described and exemplified hereinafter.

The various 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGF -type and PGF 5 -type compounds encompassed by formulas XXVIII-XXXVII are prepared by carbonyl reduction of the corresponding PGE type compounds encompassed byformulas XVIII-XXVII. For example, carbonyl reduction of 3-oxa PGE gives a mixture of 3-oxa PGF a and 3-oxa PGF, 5

These ring carbonyl reductions are carried out by methods known in the art for ring carbonyl reductions of known prostanoic acid derivatives. See, for example, Bergstrom et al., Arkiv Kemi 19, 563 (1963), Acta Chem. Scand. 16, 969 (1962), and British Patent Specification No. 1,097,533. Any reducing agent is used which does not react with carbon-carbon double bonds or ester groups. Preferred reagents are lithium(tri-tertbutoxy)aluminum hydride, the metal borohydrides, especially sodium, potassium and zinc borohydrides, and metal trialkoxy borohydrides, e.g., sodium trimethoxyborohydride. The mixtures of alpha and beta hydroxy reduction products are separated into the individual alpha and beta isomers by methods known in the art for the separation of analogous pairs of known isomeric prostanoic acid derivatives. See, for example, Bergstrom et al., cited above, Granstrom et al., J. Biol. Chem. 240, 457 (1965), and Green et al., J. Lipid Research 5, 117 (1964). Expecially preferred as separation methods are partition chromatographic procedures, both normal and reversed phase, preparative thin layer chromatography, countercurrent distribution procedures, and column chromatography.

The various 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGA-type compounds encompassed by formulas XXXVIII-XLVII are pre- 22 pared by acidic dehydration of the corresponding PGE type compounds encompassed by formulas XVIII-XX- VII. For example, acidic dehydration of 3-oxa PGE gives 3-oxa PGA,.

These acidic dehydrations are carried out by methods known in the art for acidic dehydrations of known prostanoic acid derivatives. See, for example, Pike et al., Proc. Nobel Symposium 11, Stockholm (1966), Interscience Publishers, New York, pp. 162-163 (1967); and British Patent specification No. 1,097,533. Alkanoic acids of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive, especially acetic acid, are preferred acids for this acidic dehydration. Dilute aqueous solutions of mineral acids, e.g., hydrochloric acid, especially in the presence of a solubilizing diluent, e.g., tetrahydrofuran, are also useful as reagents for this acidic dehydration, although these reagents may cause partial hydrolysis of an ester reactant.

The various 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGB-type compounds encompassed by formulas XLVIILVII are prepared by basic dehydration of the corresponding PGE type compounds encompassed by formulas XVIII-XXVII, or by contacting the corresponding PGA compounds encompassed by formulas XXXVIII-XLVII with base. For example, both 3-oxa PGE, and 3-oxa PGA give 3-oxa PGB on treatment with base.

These basic dehydrations and double bond migrations are carried out by methods known in the art for similar reactions of known prostanoic acid derivatives. See, for example, Bergstrom et al., J. Biol. Chem. 238,3555 (1963). The base is any whose aqueous solution has pH greater than 10. Preferred bases are the alkali metal hydroxides. A mixture of water and sufficient of a water-miscible alkanol to give a homogeneous reaction mixture is suitable as a reaction medium. The PGE-type or PGA-type compound is maintained in such a reaction medium until no further PGB-type compound is formed, as shown by the characteristic ultraviolet light absorption near 278 nm for the PGB type compound.

The various transformations of 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE type compounds of formulas XVIII to XXV to the corresponding 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGF a PGF 6 PGA, and PGB type compounds are shown in Chart A, wherein Q, R, R and are as defined above, and wherein A is -Cl-I -Cl-I or trans--CI-I=CII-, Q is emu carbonyl reduction lbase and V is C,,I-I ,,--O-CR R C,,,I-I ,,,OCR R6 CR7R8 (ClS Or trans), CH=CHC,,I'I ,,O-CR R CR R (cis or trans), C 5 CC,,I-I OCR R or C- E CC I-I ,,O-CR R CR R wherein R R R R C I-I C H C R and C l-I are as defined above, with the proviso that V is C H O-CR R or C,,,H ,,,OCR R CR R when A is CH CH The 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE type compounds of formulas XXVI and XXVII are transformed to the corresponding 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGF a PGF PGA,, and PCB; compounds by analogous reactions.

The various 3-oxa and 4-oxa dihydro-PGE dihydro- PGF dihydro-PGF, B dihydro-PGA and dihydro-PGB, type compounds encompassed by formulas XXIV, XXV, XXXIV, XXXV, XLIV, XLV, LIV, and LV are prepared by carbon-carbon double bond reduction of the corresponding PGE, PGF PGF B PGA, and PGB type compound containing a trans double bond in the hydroxy-containing side chain. A cis or trans double bond or an acetylenic bond can also be present in the carboxy-terminated side chain of the unsaturated reactant, and will be reduced at the same time to CH CI-I For example, dihydro-3-oxa- PGE is produced by reduction of 3-oxa-PGE 3-oxa- PGE or 5,6-dehydro-3-oxa-PGE These reductions are carried out by reacting the unsaturated PGE, PGF a PGF PGA, or PGB type compound with diimide, following the general procedure described by van Tamelen et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 83, 3726 (1961). See also Fieser et 211., Topics in Organic Chemistry, Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, pp. 432-434 (I963) and references cited therein. The unsaturated acid or ester reactant is mixed with a salt of azodiformic acid, preferably an alkali metal salt such as the disodium or dipotassium salt, in

the presence of an inert diluent, preferably a lower alkanol such as methanol or ethanol, and preferably in the absence of substantial amounts of water. At least one molecular equivalent of the azodiformic acid salt is used for each multiple bond equivalent of the unsaturated reactant. The resulting suspension is then stirred, preferably with exclusion of oxygen, and the mixture is made acid, advantageously with a carboxylic acid such as acetic acid. When a reactant wherein R is hydrogen is used, that carboxylic acid reactant also serves to acidify an equivalent amount of the azodiformic acid salt. A reaction temperature in the range about 10 to about 40 C. is usually suitable. Within that temperature range, the reaction is usually complete within less than 24 hours. The desired dihydro product is then isolated by conventional methods, for example, evaporation of the diluent, followed by separation from inorganic materials by solvent extraction.

In the case of the 3-oxa and 4-oxa unsaturated PGE, PGF and PGF 3 type reactants, the reductions to the corresponding 3-oxa and 4-oxa dihydro-PGE dihydro-PFG a and dihydro-PGF, 3 compounds are also carried out by catalytic hydrogenation. For that purpose, palladium catalysts, expecially on a carbon carrier, are preferred. It is also preferred that the hydrogenation be carried out in the presence of an inert liquid diluent, for example, methanol, ethanol, dioxane, ethyl acetate, and the like. Hydrogenation pressures ranging from about atmospheric to about 50 p.s.i., and hydrogenation temperatures ranging from about 0 to about C. are preferred. The resulting dihydro product is isolated from the hydrogenation reaction mixture by conventional methods, for example, removal of the catalyst by filtration or centrifugation, followed by evaporation of the solvent.

Diimide reductions and catalytic hydrogenations to produce the various novel 3-oxa and 4-oxa dihydro compounds of this invention from the corresponding 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE PGF a PGF B PGA,, and PGB type compounds are shown in Chart B, wherein Q, R R and are as defined above, and W is C,,I-I ,,OCR R or C I-I --O-CR R CR R wherein C I-I C H R R R and R are as defined above.

CHART B CH -W-COOR 1 H I H/ =C\C R HO H 2 di i mi de or hydrogen catalyst O ,cH -w-cooa 1 (continued) CHART 8 continued CH2-W-C00R H I C= Hd H fi-Rg diimide or hydrogen V catalyst t CH -w-C00R I CH CH -C-R I ll H0 Q CH -WCOOR, 3 I H =C H c -R Q l di imi de ,lcuz-w-coorx CH CH -fi-M o @tH -W-COOR H c= c diimlde These diimide reductions and catalytic hydrogenations to produce the same novel 3-oxa and 4-oxa dihydro compounds of this invention from the corresponding 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE PGF a PGF B PGA and PGB type compounds and also from the corresponding compounds with a trans-ethylenic or an acetylenic linkage in place of the cis-ethylenic linkage in the carboxyl-terminated side chain, are shown in Chart C, wherein Q, R R and are as defined above, U is cisCH=CH-, trans'-CH=CH, or C E C, and Y is -C,,l-l ,,-OCR R or .C l-l --O-CR R CR R wherein p, q, R R R and R are as defined above.

The 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of the PGE PGF PGF p PGA and PGB type wherein the carbon-carbon double bond in the carboxy-terminated side chain is in cis configuration are prepared by reduc tion of the corresponding acetylenic 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds, i.e., those with a carbon-carbon triple bond in place of said carbon-carbon double bond. For that purpose, there are used any of the known reducing agents which reduce an acetylenic linkage to a cis-ethylenic linkage. Especially preferred for that purpose are diimide or hydrogen and a catalyst, for example, palladium (5%) on barium sulfate, especially in the presence of pyridine. See Fieser et al., Reagents for Organic Synthesis, pp. 566-567, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York, NY. (1967). These reductions are shown in Chart D, wherein Q, R R and are as defined above, and Y, is -C,H OCR R or C H OCR R CR R These 3-oxa and 4-oxa cis compounds of the PGE PGF: PGF 3 PGA and PGB type are also prepared as described hereinafter.

CHART C di imi de or hydrogen catalyst (continued) CHART D continued CH -C C'Y-COOR1 The 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE type compounds of formulas XVIII to XXIII except wherein R is hydrogen, and the 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGA type compounds of formulas XXXVIII to XLIII except wherein R is hydrogen are prepared by the series of reactions shown in Chart E, wherein Q, R and V are as defined above, R and R are alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive R is the same as the above definition of R except that R does not include hydrogen, R is alkyl of one to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, and indicates exo or endo configuration with respect to the moiety attached to the cyclopropane ring.

The 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGE, type compounds of formulas XVIII and XIX, the 3-oxa and 4-oxa 5,6-dehydro-PGE type compounds of formulas XXII and XXIII, the 3-oxa and 4-oxa PGA type compounds of formulas XXXVIII and XXXIX, and the 3-oxa and 4-oxa 5,6-dehydro-PGA type compounds of formulas XLII and XLIII are also prepared by the series of reactions shown in Chart F, wherein Q, R R R and R are as defined above, Z is C,,H ,,OCR R -C,,,H ,,,OCR R CR R C C-C,,H- ,,O-CR R or C E CC l-l OCR R -CR R and indicates exo or endo configuration with respect to the moiety attached to the cyclopropane ring.

It should be observed regarding the series of reactions shown in Charts E and F, that the reactions starting with glycol LX in Chart E are similar to the reac tions starting with glycol LXVII in Chart F. The only differences here are the definitions of the divalent moieties V (Chart E) and Z (Chart F). V includes saturated, cis and trans ethylenic, and acetylenic divalent moieties. Z is limited to the saturated and acetylenic divalent moieties encompassed by V.

CHART E 0 ,zH w-cooR 9 cH -v-cooR (continued) CHART F continued ,cH -z-cooR CH- H-R 'HO o$bgR13,.

compounds of formulas XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, and

XLIII.

As will subsequently appear, an acetylenic intermediate of formula LIX, formula LX, or formula LXVII is transformed by reduction to the corresponding cis or trans ethylenic intermediates of formulas LIX or LX, and an acetylenic intermediate of formulas LIX, LX, or LXVII, or a cis or trans ethylenic intermediate of formulas LIX orLX is transformed by reduction tolthe corresponding saturated intermediate of formulas LIX, LX, or LXVII.

The initial bicyclo-ketone reactant of formula LXV in Chart F is also used as an initial reactant to produce the initial bicyclo-ketone cyclic ketal reactant of formula LVlII in Chart E. The reactions of Chart G will produce cyclic ketal LVlll. Therein TI-IP is tetrahydropyranyl, and (b is phenyl.

The bicyclo-ketone reactant of formula LXV exists in four isomeric forms, exo and endo with respect to the attachment of the ---Cl-I==Cl-IR moiety, and cis and trans with respect to the double bond in that moiety. Each of those isomers separately or various mixtures thereof are used as reactants according to this invention to produce substantially the smae final 3-oxa or 4-oxa PGE or PGA type product mixture.

CHART G OTHP H LXXI l H l, P=c

2 via several 0 steps Q LXV CH=CH-R2 LXXI I l I H-(iH-R OH OH LV-l l l fH-(llH-R 0 O RQR The process for preparing either the exo or endo configuration of the formula-LXV bicyclo-ketone is known to the art. See Belgian Pat. No. 702,477; reprinted in Farmdoc Complete Specifications, Book 714, No. 30,905, page 313, Mar. 12, I968. See West Germany Offenlegungsschrift No. 1.937.912: reprinted in Farm-doc Complete Specifications, Book No. 14, No. 6869 R,Week R,-,. Mar. 18. 1970.

In said Belgian Pat. No. 702,477, a reaction sequence capable of forming exo ketone LXV is as follows: The hydroxy of 3-cyclopentenol is protected, for example, with a tetrahydropyranyl group. Then a diazoacetic acid ester is added to the double bond to give an exoendo mixture of a bicyclo[3.l.0]hexane substituted at 3 with the protected hydroxy and at 6 with a esterified carboxyl. The exo-endo mixture is treated with a' base to isomerize the endo isomer in the mixture to more of the exo isomer. Next, the carboxylate ester group at 6 is transformed to an aldehyde "group, CI-IO. Then, said aldehyde group is transformed by the Wittig reaction, in this case to a moiety of the formula -CI-I= CI-I-R which is in exo configuration relative to the bicyclo ring structure. Next, the protective group is removed to regenerate the 3-hydroxy which is then oxidized, for example, by the Jones reagent, i.e., chromic acid (see J. Chem. Soc. 39 (1946)), to give said exo ketone LXV.

Separation of the cis-exo and trans-exo isomers of LXV is described in said Belgian Pat. No. 702,477. However, as mentioned above, that separation is usually not necessary since the ci's-trans mixture is useful as a reactant in the next process step.

The process described in said Belgian Pat. No. 702,477 for producing the exo form of bicyclo ketone LXV uses, as an intermediate, the exo form of a bicyclo [3.1.0]hexane substituted at 3 with a protected bydroxy, e.g., tetrahydropyranyloxy, and at 6 with an es terified carboxyl. When the corresponding endo compound is substituted for that exo intermediate, the process in said Offenlegungsschrift No. 1,937,912 leads to the endo form of bicyclo-ketone LXV. That endo compound to be used has the formula:

COOCHa LXX l V Compound LXXIV is prepared by reacting endobicyclo[3.l.0]-hexane-3-ol-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester which is then reacted with dihydropyran in the presence of a catalytic amount of POCI to give the desired compound. This is then used as described in said Offenlegungsschrift No. 1,937,912 to produce the endo form of bicyclo-ketone LXV.

As for exo LXV, the above process produces a mixture of endo-cis and endo-trans compounds. These are separated as described for the separation of exo-cis and exo-trans LXV, but this separation is usually not necessary since, as mentioned above. the cis-trans mixture is useful as a reactant in the next process step.

In the processes of said Belgian patent and said Offenlegungsschrift, certain organic halides, e.g., chlorides and bromides, are necessary to prepare the Wittig reagents used to generate the generic moiety, --CH= CI-I-R of bicyclo-ketone LXV. These organic chlorides and bromides R CI-I Cl and R -(H. Br.

are known in the art or can be prepared by methods known in the art.

To illustrate the availability of these organic chlorides consider first the above-described 3-oxa and 4oxa POE-type compounds of formulas XVIII to XXVII wherein G is alkyl of I to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, substituted with zero, 1,2, or 3 fluoro.

For those products wherein R is alkyl of one to 10 carbon atoms, substituted'with zero to 3 fluoro atoms, there are available the monohalo hydrocarbons, e.g., bromo-(or chloro-)methane, -ethane, -propane, -pentane, -octane, and -decane; and the monohalofluorohydrocarbons, e.g., CH- ,FCl. CH FCH Br, CHF CH Cl, CF CH Br. F(CH ),,Br. CH -,CF. ,CH CI, CF;;(CH Br,

CH -;(CH CF (CH CH CL as described in Aliphatic Fluorine Compounds", A. M. Lovelace et al., Am. Chem. Soc. Monograph Series 1958, Reinhold Publ. Corp. Those halides not available are prepared by methods known in the art by reacting the corresponding primery alcohol R-, CH OH with PCI PBr or any of the other halogen ating agents useful for this purpose. Available alcohols include CH CH(CF )CH OH, (CH CHCH CH OH, (CH CCH OH, CF;,CH(CH )CH CH OH, for example. For 'those halides of the formula R -CH -Hal wherein Hal is chloro or bromo R is R14(CI-I being one, 2, 3, or 4, and R being isobutyl, tert-butyl, 3,3-difluorobutyl, 4,4- difluorobutyl, or 4,4,4-trifluorobutyl, the intermediate alcohols are prepared as follows.

In the case of R being isobutyl or tert-butyl, known alcohols are converted to bromides, thence to nitriles with sodium cyanide, thence to the corresponding carboxylic acids by hydrolysis, and thence to the corresponding primary alcohols by reduction, e.g. with lithium aluminum hydride, thus extending the carbon chain one carbon atom at a time until all primary alco hols are prepared.

In the case of R being 3,3-difluorobutyl, the necessary alcohols are prepared from keto carboxylic acids of the formula, CH CO(CH ),-COOH, wherein r is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. All of those acids are known. The methyl esters are prepared and reacted with sulfur tetrafluoride to produce the corresponding CH CF- (CH- ),COOCH compounds, which are then reduced with lithium aluminum hydride to CH,-,CF- (CH ),--CI-I OH. These alcohols are then transformed to the bromide or chloride by reaction with "PBr, or PCl In the case of R being 4,4-difluorobutyl, the initial reactants are the known dicarboxylic acids, HOO- .C( CH -COOH, whereinfis 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. These dicarboxylic acids are esterified to CH OOC(Cl-I COOCH and then half-saponified, for example with barium hydroxide, to give HOOC(CH ),COOCH;,. The free carboxyl group is transformed first to the acid chloride with thionyl chloride and then I .In the case of R being 4,4.4-trifluorobutyl, aldehydes of the formula CH;,OOC(CH -CHO are prepared as described above. Reduction of the aldehyde with sodium borohydride gives the alcohol CH OOC(CH CH OH. Reaction with a hydrogen halide, for example hydrogen bromide, gives the corresponding halocarboxylic acid which by reaction with sulfur tetrafluoride gives the necessary CF -(CH ),-CH Br or CF (CH ),-CH Cl.

For the above reactions of SF see U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,723 and J. Org. Chem. 27, 3164 (1962).

As mentioned above, formula XVlIl-to-LVll compounds with an alphafluoro substitutent in a straight chain 3 to 7-carbon R i.e., R being Cl-lF(CH -Cl-l wherein g is l, 2, 3, 4, or 5, represent preferred embodiments among the novel 3-oxa and 4-oxa compounds of this invention. Among those, for example, is 3-oxa-16-fluoro-PGE The formula-LXV bicycloketones necessary to produce those monofluoro compounds are advantageously prepared by reacting either of the above-mentioned bicyclo-aldehydes, exo or endo, with a Wittig reagent prepared from CH (CH CO-CH Br and triphenylphosphine. The aldehyde group is thereby transformed to The resulting unsaturated ketone is reduced to the corresponding compound. Then OH in that group is replaced with fluoro by known methods, for example, directly by reaction with 2-chloro-l,1,l-trifluorotriethylamine or indirectly, for example, by transforming the hydroxy to toxyloxy or mesyloxy, and reacting the resulting compound with anhydrous potassium fluoride in diethylene glycol.

The transformation of bicyclo-ketone-olefin LXV to glycol LXXIll is carried out by reacting olefin LXV with a hydroxylation reagent. l-lydroxylation reagents and procedures for this purpose are known in the art. See, for example, Gunstone, Advances in Organic Chemistry, Vol. 1, pp. 103447, lnterscience Publishers, New York, NY. (1960). Especially useful hydroxylation reagents for this purpose are osmium tetroxide and performic acid (formic acid plus hydrogen peroxide). Various isomeric glycols are obtained depending on such factors as whether olefin LXV is cis or trans and endo or exo, and whether a cis or a trans hydroxylation reagent is used. These various glycol mixtures can be separated into individual isomers by silica gel chromatography. However, this separation is usually not necessary, since all isomers of a particular glycol are equally useful as intermediates according to this invention and the processes outlined in Chart E to produce final products of formulas LXII and LXIII, and then, according to Chart A, B, C, and D to produce the other final products of this invention.

The transformation of glycol LXXIII to the cyclic ketal of formula LVIll (Chart E) is carried out by reacting said glycol with a dialkyl ketone of the formula wherein R and R are alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the presence of an acid catalyst, for example potassium bisulfate or aqueous perchloric acid. A large excess of the ketone and the absence of water is desirable for this reaction. Examples of suitable dialkyl ketones are acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, and the like. Acetone is preferred as a reactant in this process.

Referring again to Chart E, cyclic ketal LVlll is transformed to cyclic ketal LIX by alkylating with an alkylation agent of the formula Halt-CH- V-COOR wherein R and V are as defined above, and Hal is chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Similarly, referring to Chart F, olefin LXV is transformed to olefin LXVI by alkylating with an alkylation agent of the formula l-laltCl-l ZCOOR wherein R Z, and Hal are as defined above.

Any of the alkylation procedures known in the art to be useful for alkylating cyclic ketones with. alkyl halides and haloalkanoic esters are used for the transformations of LVIII to LIX and LXV to LXVI. See, for example, the above-mentioned Belgian Pat. No. 702,477 for procedures useful here and used there to carry out similar alkylations, e.g., employing the bicyclo enarnines.

For these alkylations, it is preferred that Hal be bromo or iodo. Any of the usual alkylation bases, e.g.,

alkali metal alkoxides, alkali metal amides, and alkali metal hydrides, are useful for this alkylation. Alkali metal alkoxides are preferred, especially tert-alkoxides Sodium and potassium are preferred alkali metals. E pecially preferred is potassium tert-butoxide. Preferred diluents for this alkylation are tertrahydrofuran and 1,2-dimethoxyethane. Otherwise, procedures for producing and isolating the desired formula UK and LXVI compounds are within the skill of the alt.

These alkylation procedures produce mixtures of alpha and beta alkylation products, i.e., a mixture of the formula-LIX products wherein the CH- V-COOR moiety is attached in alpha configuration, with corresponding compounds having that moiety attached in beta configuration, or a mixture of the formula-LXVI products with corresponding compounds having the CH Z-COOR moiety in the beta configuration. When about one equivalent of base per equivalent of formula LXV or LVlll ketone is used, the alpha configuration usually predominates. Use of an excess of base and longer reaction times usually result in production of larger amounts of beta products. These alpha-beta isomer mixtures are separated at this stage or at any subsequent stage in the multi-step processes shown in Charts E and F. Silica gel chromatography is preferred for this separation.

The necessary alkylating agents for the abovedescribed alkylations, i.e., compounds of the formulas HalCl-l -VCOOR and l-lalCl-l --Z-COOR are prepared by methods known in the art.

There are eight groups of compounds encompassed by these two genera of alkylating agents. Alkylating agents of the formula l-lalCl-l Z-COOR, include compounds of the following formulas: 

1. AN OPTICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA:
 2. A racemic compound according to claim
 1. 3. An optically active compound according to claim
 1. 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein CnH2n is straight chain alkylene of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein CnH2n is trimethylene.
 6. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen or methyl, being the same or different.
 7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen.
 8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein R2 is pentyl.
 9. A compound according to claim 8 wherein
 10. A compound according to claim 8 wherein
 11. A compound according to claim 10 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, including the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof when R1 is hydrogen.
 12. A compound according to claim 11 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 13. A compound according to claim 12 wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 14. 4-Oxa-PGF1 , a compound according to claim
 13. 15. 4-Oxa-PGF1 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 13. 16. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-PGF1 , a compound according to claim
 13. 17. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-PGF1 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 13. 18. An optically active compound of the formula:
 19. A racemic compound according to claim
 18. 20. An optically active compound according to claim
 18. 21. A compound according to claim 20 wherein CnH2n is straight chain alkylene of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 22. A compound according to claim 21 wherein CnH2n is trimethylene.
 23. A compound according to claim 22 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen or methyl, being the same or different.
 24. A compound according to claim 23 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen.
 25. A compound according to claim 24 wherein R2 is pentyl.
 26. A compound according to claim 25 wherein
 27. A compound according to claim 25 wherein
 28. A compound according to claim 27 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, including the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof when R1 is hydrogen.
 29. A compound according to claim 28 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 30. A compound according to claim 29 wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 31. A compound according to claim 30 wherein the C-5 to C-6 double bond in the carboxyl-terminated side chain is in the cis configuration.
 32. 4-Oxa-PGF2 , a compound according to claim
 31. 33. 4-Oxa-PGF2 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 31. 34. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-PGF2 , a compound according to claim
 31. 35. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-PGF2 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 31. 36. An optically active compound of the formula:
 37. A racemic compound according to claim
 36. 38. An optically active compound according to claim
 36. 39. A compound according to claim 38 wherein CnH2n is straight chain alkylene of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 40. A compound according to claim 39 wherein CnH2n is trimethylene.
 41. A compound according to claim 40 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen or methyl, being the same or different.
 42. A comPound according to claim 41 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen.
 43. A compound according to claim 42 wherein R2 is pentyl.
 44. A compound according to claim 43 wherein
 45. A compound according to claim 43 wherein
 46. A compound according to claim 45 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, including the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof when R1 is hydrogen.
 47. A compound according to claim 46 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 48. A compound according to claim 47 wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 49. 4-Oxa-5,6-didehydro-PGF1 , a compound according to claim
 48. 50. 4-Oxa-5,6-didehydro-PGF1 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 48. 51. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-5,6-didehydro-PGF1 , a compound according to claim
 48. 52. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-5,6-didehydro-PGF1 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 48. 53. An optically active compound of the formula:
 54. A racemic compound according to claim
 53. 55. An optically active compound according to claim
 53. 56. A compound according to claim 55 wherein CnH2n is straight chain alkylene of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 57. A compound according to claim 56 wherein CpH2p is trimethylene.
 58. A compound according to claim 57 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen or methyl, being the same or different.
 59. A compound according to claim 58 wherein R5 and R6 are hydrogen.
 60. A compound according to claim 59 wherein R2 is pentyl.
 61. A compound according to claim 60 wherein
 62. A compound according to claim 60 wherein
 63. A compound according to claim 62 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, including the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof when R1 is hydrogen.
 64. A compound according to claim 63 wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive.
 65. A compound according to claim 64 wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl.
 66. 4-Oxa-13,14-dihydro-PGF1 , a compound according to claim
 65. 67. 4-Oxa-13,14-Dihydro-PGF1 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 65. 68. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-13,14-dihydro-PGF1 , a compound according to claim
 65. 69. 15-Methyl-4-oxa-13,14-dihydro-PGF1 , methyl ester, a compound according to claim
 65. 70. An optically active compound of the formula: 